Committee backs payroll-deduction status for Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund

The Rules Committee on Monday voted to advance a proposal that would add the Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (BayLeaf) to the San Francisco Administrative Code list of organizations eligible to receive employee payroll-deduction donations.

Sergeant Art Howard of the San Francisco Police Department, who identified himself as the executive director of BayLeaf, said the nonprofit provides peer-driven employee assistance, mental-health resources, and emergency financial support across the Bay Area, including rapid checks to families after line-of-duty deaths. He said BayLeaf has no employees and that board members fund administrative costs so donations go directly to beneficiaries. Howard said the charity had distributed about $2,000,000 in support since participating in combined-charities campaigns prior to 2024 and that it is registered and in good standing with state and federal charity regulators.

Two public commenters who identified themselves as volunteers with law-enforcement support programs spoke in favor, describing the organization’s role supporting officers, families and civilian employees and urging supervisors to permit payroll deductions. One commenter cautioned about broader social-service gaps and said it was regrettable charities must fill those needs.

The committee unanimously moved the item to the full Board as a committee report. No opposition speakers were recorded at committee.

Next steps: If the Board approves, San Francisco employees would be able to authorize recurring payroll-deduction donations to BayLeaf consistent with other authorized payroll-deduction charities.